MyBettingSites had the pleasure of sitting down with Liverpool legend John Barnes to discuss the recent managerial merry-go-round in the footballing world. Over the past few days, Chelsea parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino and are now targeting Kieran McKenna and Enzo Maresca. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United is uncertain, Roberto De Zerbi has left Brighton, and Vincent Kompany is set to move to Bayern Munich. It’s been a hectic week in the world of football management.
In this article:
- John Barnes warns Kieran McKenna to reject Chelsea
- Man United need to back Erik ten Haag
- Barnes shocked at Mauricio Pochettino exit
McKenna should reject Chelsea’s advances
It’s been a remarkable two years for Kieran McKenna, who has guided Ipswich Town to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League. He has impressed many in the footballing world with his poise, tactical acumen, and impressive style of play. Ipswich finished just one point behind Championship winners Leicester, who were relegated from the Premier League the previous season. McKenna has been linked with managerial positions at Brighton, Chelsea, and Manchester United. However, John Barnes believes that McKenna is unlikely to take the United job until the club parts ways with current manager Erik ten Hag.
“I don’t see United fighting it out for McKenna because they already have a manager. If they decide to sack ten Hag then they can be in the hunt for Kieran McKenna but at the moment they have a man in charge.”
“From Chelsea and Brighton’s perspective he’s done very well at the club. He’s led them to two back to back promotions. If I had to choose a club for McKenna between Brighton and Chelsea I would choose Brighton.”
“Cheslea should be looking for someone with more experience and a bigger name. We’ve seen the problems at Chelsea when you have some many egos and superstar players who you’ve spent lots of money on.”
“How can a manager that is relatively inexperienced and just coming into the game control that situation?”
Brighton will give McKenna time that Chelsea won’t afford him
Reports suggest that Brighton are confident that they can pip both Chelsea and Manchesyer United to the services of McKenna as they seek to replace the departed Roberto De Zerbi who left the club by mutual consent at the end of the season. McKenna has a deal until 2027 at Portman Road, and is a fans favourite having completely changed the environment at the club. However, the compensation required to get him out of his contract is said to be between £4m and £6m. Barnes argues strongly that Brighton would be the far more sensible move for the Northern Irish coach.
“At Brighton he would be given time and support. The fans won’t be clamouring for a bigger name. When De Zerbi came in he was an unknown quantity.”
“McKenna could decide to stay at Ipswich because he helped to get them promoted and they’re a Premier League club. Ipswich are also a bigger club than Brighton, although Brighton are a more stable club and have more Premier League experience.”
“Brighton would make the most sense for me.”
If social media is anything to go by Chelsea fans do seem to be underwhelmed by the direction the club are looking to head in by looking to bring in a younger coach who is happy to work within the set structure of the club hierarchy.
“This would be a risky move for Maresca or McKenna. Not for Chelsea. You’re going to a club as a young, inexperienced manager without any control over the players, transfers and the way the club is run.”
“I don’t think this is a route that Chelsea should go down because they need someone that can come in and be the strongest man at the club. Somebody that will lead the club.”
“I think Brighton will give Kieran McKenna the opportunity to do that.”
“Chelsea are a huge club and he’ll make a lot of money but in terms of having control and being the man in charge Brighton makes more sense.”
United hierarchy must back ten Hag publicly
Meanwhile, reports suggest that Manchester United are also interested in the services of McKenna but remain undecided on the future of current manager ten Hag who has had a difficult second season at the club. Before departing United, McKenna had a glowing reputation at the club having been pinched from the Tottenham academy to the United academy before being promoted to work as a first team coach with Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Barnes, whilst impressed by McKenna believes United must change the cycle at the club and for once back the man in charge.
“United need to give Erik ten hag the power to be the man to establish a positive environment at the club. Unfortunately, he gets the blame for everything. The fans did the same to Mourinho, Solskjaer, Mourinho and so on.”
“The club has to take a stand and place some responsibility on the players. The fans have to pressure the players to perform rather than blaming the managers.”
“Regardless if McKenna comes in it won’t change anything. The fans need to back the manager and the players respond to that.”
“McKenna worked under Solskjaer and they sacked Solskjaer. McKenna worked under Mourinho and they sacked Mourinho. Why would he be any different? He worked under managers they sacked. He essentially worked under ‘failed managers.”
“That’s not to say he isn’t or can’t be a good manager.”
Barnes shocked at Poch’s Blues exit
Chelsea sacking managers is nothing new, but the recent departures of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and now Mauricio Pochettino have understandably concerned the club’s fans. Interestingly, the next manager at Stamford Bridge will be the club’s 24th since 2000. This lack of stability is particularly worrisome, given that the new ownership was expected to bring stability to the club. John Barnes, along with many in the industry, was surprised by Pochettino’s exit, especially considering the strong finish the team had to the season.
“I was surprised because they ended the season well and if you look at the potential that they have alongside the fact he’s an experienced manager.”
“But Chelsea are a club who can change their manager every six weeks or every year and think that it’s a solution to their problems when it’s not.”
“They said it was mutual consent but what does that mean? If he decided to leave because he was unhappy with the way the club was being run, and he believes that as the manager he should have more control then that’s the right thing to do.”
“If Chelsea have parted ways with him because they want a manager that will not be as strong as him, not have opinions and be subversive to a Chelsea hierarchy then they are doing the wrong thing. It’s a sad situation for Chelsea because he’s a great manager.”
